There is always a risk of accidents while traveling on roads, particularly on highways. Someone’s negligence on-road may cause damage to you. You have every right to be compensated, especially for your pain and suffering. Here, you can find the details about how much money for pain from an auto accident.
What are Pain and Suffering?
Pain and suffering is a term that refers to the trauma from a car accident injury. It encompasses physical pain and emotional distress that the victim has to suffer due to the injury.
The physical pain affects the victim’s daily life; they might have limited mobility or cannot carry out daily tasks. On top of that, the psychological trauma associated with the change in life also adds to the pain and suffering.
The trauma cannot be taken away, but you can be compensated financially. Insurance claim settlements for auto accidents include compensation for pain and suffering. Estimating how much you get from pain and suffering is complicated.
Importance of Auto Accident Attorney
Victims are unable to negotiate well without an attorney. They settle for an amount that is way less than the actual amount they could receive with a qualified attorney from Auto Accident Attorney Kansas City.
When you hire an attorney, you can feasibly file a claim for pain and suffering. A skilled and experienced attorney will be able to discuss all the things you cannot do after the accident, take into account all the evidence and make an objective testimony, which will help you be compensated at the right amount for your pain and suffering.
For instance, if the insurer takes $100 per day as per diem calculation for damages then your attorney can argue and get a higher rate with evidence.
How Much Pain and Suffering is Worth?
The claim for pain and suffering depends upon many factors. It cannot be given a price tag. The following factors need to be taken into account;
- The type and extent of your injury
- The medical bills
- The lost wages
There is no standard method that can be used to calculate pain and suffering. Some insurance companies use software systems, while others use the following two methods.
Multiplier Method
In this method, all the economic damages (medical bills and lost wage)Â are added and then multiplying by a number between 1.5 and 5. 1.5 being for minor injuries while five is for fatal injuries.
For instance, if your leg was injured during the auto accident with a one week rest period, this is a minor injury. The insurer will use 1.5. If your economic damage adds up to $7500, then you are reimbursed $11,250 for pain and suffering.
On the other hand, if you suffered a fatal injury to your back or brain which could alter your life and require extensive medical treatment then you will be assigned number 5. That means if your economic damage adds up to $800,000, then you will receive $4,000,000 for pain and suffering.
Per Diem Method
This method uses a per diem rate. You make in one day multiply by the number of days you endured pain after the accident.
For instance, if your annual income is $40,000 (with 250 working days annually), then you will receive $1,120 for suffering for a week. Similarly, if you underwent surgeries and required a hospital stay for six months, you will receive $28,800.
